Rooms at the Roubaix have a faded elegance that’s certainly past its prime but the hotel is not without charm. The high ceilings, clean bathrooms and satellite TV in each of the 53 rooms — accessible by an antique staircase or a small lift — more than make up for the slightly squishy beds and sparse decor. The real draw of this hotel is its location on a quiet side street just five minutes’ walk from the contemporary artworks at the Pompidou Centre, the cozy cafés of the Marais and the hip clothing boutiques of Rue Etienne-Marcel. Doubles are from €68, breakfast included. Vending machines supply munchies round the clock. 53 rooms. No A/C.

This review originally appeared in an article I wrote for the Sunday Times of London (2004). Updated 2006.

Article originally appeared on The only authentic insider guide to Paris. (http://www.secretsofparis.com/).